The GEAFCS is a professional association for family and consumer science professionals employed by the Georgia Cooperative Extension System. It is part of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

“I am proud of the fact that FVSU’s Cooperative Extension Program had six individuals to receive awards at the GEAFCS state conference,” said Dr. Vivian Fluellen, interim department chair of FVSU’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. “Our employees have created excellent programs for the many Georgians we serve. I commend them for giving their time and energy to creating excellent programs to improve the lives of others,” Fluellen said.

Thomas, housing specialist for FVSU’s Cooperative Extension Program, won first place honors in the state, south region and national levels in the early childhood child care training category for conducting the Healthy Homes for Childcare Provider Workshops. These workshops are designed to instruct childcare workers about proper procedures to reduce environmental health hazards.

Chaney, FVSU’s Twiggs County extension agent, won first place in the state in the family health and wellness category for organizing the Twiggs County Healthy Night Out Program that took place in November of 2013. The purpose of the program is to educate families about the importance of physical activity in an effort to decrease obesity.

Price, FVSU’s Bulloch County extension agent, teamed up with 28 Extension colleagues from the University of Georgia in capturing first place honors in the state (third place southern region) in the education curriculum package category. Their winning project is designed to educate farmers and managers of farmers’ markets, methods to keep produce safe on the farm, at the market and reduce the risk of food borne illness to consumers.

FVSU 4-H program coordinator Leslie Weaver won first place in the state in the Alva Younger Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Programming Award for the 4-H & youth category for developing a program titled, “Eggucation.” “Eggucation” (education on eggs) is a program designed to educate 4-H participants about egg safety, egg facts and expose them to healthy egg recipes. Weaver collaborated with Patricia West, a 4-H agent from the University of Georgia and Lisa Jordan, a University of Georgia family and consumer sciences agent in Chatham County.

Petway, FVSU’s 4-H Twiggs County extension agent, earned third place in the state for the 4-H Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program in the Alva Younger FACS Programming Award for 4-H & Youth category. The program is designed to educate Twiggs County fifth-graders about healthy lifestyles and eating.

Fluellen said the award winning efforts present FVSU’s Cooperative Extension Program with a positive profile on the state, regional and national stage. She said the individuals displayed forward thinking by producing programs that can be replicated throughout Georgia and other states.

For more information about FVSU’s Cooperative Extension Program, call 478-825-6296.